October is here.

There is something about this time of year that makes everything feel a little different.

Pumpkins begin appearing on front porches. Fall decorations fill the stores. Costumes hang from racks. Candy fills entire aisles. Scary movies return to television, and masks seem to be everywhere.

For one night, people can put on a costume, cover their faces, and pretend to be somebody—or something—completely different.

But as I thought about October and what I wanted to share with you this month, I kept coming back to one word:

Masks.

Not necessarily the masks you buy at a store.

I’m talking about the masks you can’t see.

The masks we sometimes put on before walking into church.

The masks we put on before visiting family.

The masks we wear around friends.

The masks we put on before posting something online.

Sometimes, we even put on masks around the people who know us best.

There’s the mask that says:

“I’m okay.”

There’s the mask that says:

“I’m strong.”

There’s the mask that says:

“That didn’t hurt me.”

There’s the mask that says:

“I’m not worried.”

There’s the mask that says:

“My relationship with God is great.”

And then there’s the one I think many Christians have worn at some point:

“I’ve got everything together.”

We smile.

We say we’re blessed.

We quote Scripture.

We encourage everybody else.

We show up to church.

We post the Bible verse.

We tell people God is good.

And God is good.

But sometimes underneath all of that, we’re hurting.

Sometimes we’re scared.

Sometimes we’re disappointed.

Sometimes we’re angry.

Sometimes we’re questioning why God allowed something to happen.

Sometimes we’re wondering whether He hears us at all.

And sometimes we feel guilty admitting those things because we think Christians are supposed to have everything figured out.

But throughout my own journey with Jesus, I’ve learned something important:

You don’t need a mask with Him.

Jesus already knows the person underneath it.

Jesus Knows the Real You

Psalm 139:1 says:

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.”

Think about those words.

God knows you.

Not just your name.

Not just your birthday.

Not just where you live.

He knows you.

He knows the person everybody sees, but He also knows the person nobody sees.

He knows what happens after everybody goes home.

He knows what you’re thinking when the room gets quiet.

He knows what you’re worried about when you lie down at night.

He knows the prayer you’ve prayed a hundred times.

He knows the prayer you’re afraid to pray.

He knows the disappointment you haven’t told anyone about.

He knows the conversation that hurt you.

He knows the rejection you’re still trying to understand.

He knows the dream you’ve barely told anyone because you’re afraid people won’t understand it.

He knows the things you’re proud of.

He knows the things you regret.

He knows the parts of your story you wish you could erase.

He knows the chapters you still don’t understand.

And He knows the chapters that haven’t even been written yet.

You might be able to hide some of those things from people.

You cannot hide them from God.

But that shouldn’t frighten us.

For those who come to Him, it’s actually one of the most comforting truths we can understand.

You don’t have to hide.

God knows the real you.

And He is still inviting you to come closer.

I’ve Worn the “I’m Okay” Mask

When I talk about masks, I’m not standing on the outside looking in.

I’ve worn them too.

One of the biggest masks I’ve worn throughout different seasons of my life is the “I’m okay” mask.

Growing up with cerebral palsy and using a wheelchair meant that people sometimes saw my disability before they saw me.

They saw the wheelchair.

They saw something different.

They saw what they believed were limitations.

Sometimes people saw what I couldn’t do before they ever took the time to discover what I could do.

But they didn’t automatically see Tylia.

They didn’t see the girl who loved writing.

They didn’t see the dreams inside of me.

They didn’t see the faith that would continue developing.

They didn’t see the books.

They didn’t see the ministry.

They didn’t see the pastor.

They didn’t see the woman who would eventually use her experiences to encourage other people.

And honestly, when I was a little girl, I couldn’t see all of that either.

I didn’t know where God was going to take my story.

There is one experience from my childhood that has stayed with me for years.

When I was around ten years old, I was removed from Catholic religious education because my disability caused me to be considered a “liability.”

I was a little girl who wanted to learn about God.

I wanted to participate.

I wanted to belong.

I wanted the same opportunity other children had.

Yet something about me that I couldn’t change became the reason I was made to feel as though there wasn’t a place for me.

When you’re a child, you might not have all the words to explain what something like that does to you.

You might not understand discrimination.

You might not understand accessibility.

You might not understand inclusion.

But you understand one thing very clearly:

I wasn’t allowed to belong.

And that hurts.

Sometimes Hurt Teaches Us to Hide

Sometimes when you’ve been hurt enough, you learn to protect yourself.

You learn how to smile.

You learn how to keep going.

You learn how to tell everybody:

“I’m okay.”

And maybe part of you believes that if you say it enough times, eventually you’ll feel okay too.

That’s what masks can do.

They protect what’s underneath.

But they can also keep what’s underneath from ever being dealt with.

My mask said:

I’m okay.

It doesn’t bother me.

I’ll just keep moving forward.

But underneath that mask were questions.

God, where do I belong?

Is there really a place for somebody like me in Your church?

Can You use someone who uses a wheelchair?

Does my disability change what You can call me to do?

Do people see my wheelchair before they see the person You created?

At ten years old, I couldn’t see the entire story.

I couldn’t see what God was preparing.

I couldn’t see how He might eventually use some of the very experiences that hurt me.

But God could.

Jesus Never Called Me a Liability

Years later, I can look back at that little girl with a completely different perspective.

The girl who was made to feel like a liability would eventually become a Christian author.

She would write stories where faith mattered.

She would create characters with disabilities who could fall in love, dream, serve God, and have meaningful lives.

She would talk openly about disability inclusion.

She would encourage churches to recognize the gifts of disabled Christians.

And she would become a pastor.

I couldn’t see any of that when I was ten.

But God could.

And somewhere along my journey, I realized something that has become incredibly important to me:

Jesus never treated me like a liability.

People might look at a wheelchair and decide what they think somebody can or cannot accomplish.

Jesus sees His child.

People may see limitations.

Jesus sees purpose.

People may see inconvenience.

Jesus sees a person created in the image of God.

People might decide you don’t fit their definition of who belongs.

Jesus still calls you to Him.

And that’s why this quote has become such an important summary of what I’ve learned:

“People may see my wheelchair and decide what they think I can do, but Jesus has never measured my calling by my disability. I may have worn a mask and said I was okay when rejection hurt me, but God saw behind that mask. He saw my purpose before I could see it for myself.”

— Pastor Tylia L. Flores

God saw behind my mask.

And He sees behind yours.

Disability Does Not Disqualify Your Calling

I want to stop here for a moment because somebody with a disability may be reading this.

Maybe you’ve been made to feel like you’re an inconvenience.

Maybe someone talked to the person beside you instead of talking directly to you.

Maybe somebody assumed you couldn’t understand something.

Maybe you’ve entered a church and discovered there was no accessible way for you to participate.

Maybe you’ve been included socially but never invited to serve.

Maybe people have prayed for you but never thought about praying with you.

Maybe people see you as someone who needs ministry but never consider the possibility that God has called you to minister to others.

Please hear me:

Your disability does not disqualify you from having a calling.

First Corinthians 12 describes believers as members of one body.

The Body of Christ needs its members.

That includes Christians with disabilities.

Some people will preach.

Some will teach.

Some will write.

Some will pray.

Some will encourage.

Some will serve quietly behind the scenes.

Some will advocate.

Some will create.

Some will simply be faithful witnesses to Jesus wherever God has placed them.

Our abilities may look different.

Our methods may look different.

Our bodies may work differently.

But our value doesn’t come from how closely we resemble everybody else.

Our value comes from the God who created us.

And our calling belongs to Him.

Churches Need to Look Behind the Mask Too

There’s another side to this conversation.

Sometimes churches unintentionally create environments where people feel like they need masks.

Someone walks through the church doors and immediately feels like they have to appear okay.

So they smile.

They shake hands.

They sing.

They listen to the sermon.

Then they go home carrying the exact same pain they walked in with because they never felt safe enough to say:

“I’m struggling.”

Church should be a place where truth can be spoken.

We should be able to celebrate victories together.

But we should also be able to sit beside someone who’s hurting.

We should be able to say, “I don’t know what to do,” without immediately being treated like we don’t have faith.

We should be able to ask questions.

We should be able to admit we’re afraid.

And people with disabilities should be able to enter our churches without wondering whether they’re going to be treated like a burden.

Jesus didn’t build His ministry around people who had everything together.

Read the Gospels.

People came to Jesus hurting.

They came confused.

They came sick.

They came grieving.

They came ashamed.

They came rejected.

They came desperate.

They came with questions.

And Jesus met people where they were.

The Church should strive to do the same.

What Mask Are You Wearing?

Maybe disability isn’t part of your story.

But I wonder if you’re wearing a mask too.

Maybe your mask says:

“My marriage is fine.”

Maybe it says:

“I’m not lonely.”

Maybe it’s:

“I don’t care what they said about me.”

Maybe you’ve been pretending you’re not worried about money.

Maybe you’re smiling while you’re grieving.

Maybe you’re afraid of losing someone.

Maybe you’re worried about your future.

Maybe you’re waiting for an answer from God that hasn’t come yet.

Maybe you don’t understand why a relationship ended.

Maybe you’re struggling with forgiveness.

Maybe you’re disappointed in yourself.

Maybe you’ve been encouraging everybody else while privately wondering who is going to encourage you.

Or maybe your mask is spiritual.

You know how to talk like a Christian.

You know when to say “Amen.”

You know the songs.

You know the Bible stories.

You know the church vocabulary.

But deep inside, something feels empty.

Maybe you’ve spent years knowing about Jesus without truly knowing Him.

And that brings me to what I believe is the most important part of this entire message.

The Scariest Thing Isn’t Halloween

October gives us plenty of opportunities to talk about fear.

Ghosts.

Monsters.

Haunted houses.

Scary movies.

Darkness.

People spend money during this season specifically because they enjoy being frightened.

But when I think about eternity, those aren’t the things that concern me most.

The thought that concerns me is someone spending an entire lifetime knowing about Jesus without ever personally knowing Him.

There’s a difference.

You can know the Christmas story.

You can know Easter celebrates the resurrection.

You can own multiple Bibles.

You can listen to Christian music.

You can follow pastors online.

You can repost Bible verses.

You can attend church.

You can volunteer.

You can know Christian terminology.

You can even call yourself a Christian.

But none of those things should replace the most important question:

Do you know Jesus Christ?

Not:

Do your parents know Him?

Not:

Does your grandmother know Him?

Not:

Do you attend church?

Not:

Were you raised Christian?

The question is personal.

Do you know Jesus?

Christianity Isn’t a Costume

A costume can make you look like something for a few hours.

But wearing the costume doesn’t make you that person.

And Christianity isn’t supposed to be a costume we put on when it’s convenient.

Jesus isn’t something we wear on Sunday and hang back in the closet Monday morning.

Following Jesus affects how we live.

How we love.

How we forgive.

How we treat people.

How we respond when life doesn’t go our way.

How we treat the person society ignores.

How we treat someone with a disability.

How we behave when nobody is watching.

Faith isn’t supposed to be another mask.

It’s supposed to transform what’s underneath it.

Jesus Is the Way

Jesus says in John 14:6:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Those are strong words.

Jesus didn’t say He was a way.

He said:

“I am the way.”

Jesus came because humanity has a sin problem we cannot solve ourselves.

He lived.

He went to the cross.

He died for our sins.

And He rose again.

Because of Jesus, forgiveness is possible.

Because of Jesus, reconciliation with God is possible.

Because of Jesus, eternal life is possible.

That’s why I say:

The scariest thing isn’t Halloween.

The scariest thing is living your entire life without truly knowing Jesus.

You Don’t Have to Fix Yourself First

Maybe you’re reading this and thinking:

Tylia, you don’t know what I’ve done.

You’re right.

I don’t.

But God does.

Maybe you think:

I’ve made too many mistakes.

God wouldn’t want me.

I’ll come to Jesus when I clean up my life.

I’ll start going to church once I get myself together.

I’m not good enough to be a Christian.

Here’s the truth:

None of us are good enough to save ourselves.

That’s why we need Jesus.

Romans 5:8 says:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

While we were sinners.

Not after we became perfect.

Not after we learned every Bible verse.

Not after we fixed every problem.

Not after we became respectable enough for church.

Jesus came for sinners.

That includes me.

That includes you.

The Gospel isn’t about pretending you’re perfect.

The Gospel is about admitting that you need a Savior.

And His name is Jesus.

Another Mask: “I’m Not Afraid”

Christians sometimes wear another mask:

“I’m not afraid.”

We can convince ourselves that admitting fear means our faith isn’t strong enough.

But faith doesn’t mean you’ll never feel fear.

Second Timothy 1:7 says:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Maybe you’re afraid of your future.

Maybe you’re afraid of rejection.

Maybe you’re afraid of being alone.

Maybe you’re worried about finances.

Maybe you’re afraid your dreams aren’t going to happen.

Maybe you’re worried about your family.

Maybe you’re entering a new season you didn’t choose.

Maybe you’re living with a disability and wondering whether people will ever look beyond it.

Maybe God has placed something on your heart that seems completely impossible.

I’ve had chapters in my life where I couldn’t understand how the pieces were going to fit together.

But God could see what I couldn’t.

Faith doesn’t mean fear never knocks.

Faith means fear doesn’t get the final word.

Jesus does.

Your Pain May Become Part of Your Purpose

One of the things my own story has taught me is that God can use experiences we never would have chosen.

I wouldn’t choose rejection.

I wouldn’t choose being made to feel like a liability.

I wouldn’t choose moments when people underestimated me because of my disability.

But God can take painful chapters and use them.

That doesn’t mean the pain was good.

It means God is good enough to bring purpose even from things that hurt.

Today, when I advocate for disability inclusion in Christian spaces, I’m speaking from experience.

When I write disabled characters into stories, I’m writing from a place of understanding what representation means.

When I tell someone with a disability that they have a place in the Body of Christ, I’m not saying it because it sounds nice.

I’m saying it because there was once a little girl who needed someone to tell her the same thing.

And maybe that’s one reason you’re reading this today.

Maybe something you’ve survived will eventually become part of how God encourages somebody else through you.

You may not see it yet.

I didn’t either.

But God sees farther down the road than we do.

Take Off the Mask

So this October, while people everywhere are putting masks on, I want to challenge you to do something different.

Take yours off.

I’m not talking about a costume.

I’m talking about the invisible mask you’ve been carrying.

Take it off before Jesus.

Tell Him:

I’m scared.

I’m angry.

I’m confused.

I’m hurting.

I’m lonely.

I’m disappointed.

I’m struggling.

I don’t understand.

I’m tired of pretending.

Jesus, I need You.

Maybe nobody else knows what you’ve been carrying.

Jesus does.

Maybe nobody else understands why something hurt so much.

Jesus does.

Maybe nobody else understands your dreams.

Jesus does.

Maybe everybody around you thinks you’re doing great.

Jesus knows what’s really happening.

You don’t have to hide from Him.

Do You Know Jesus?

If you’ve read this far and realized that you know about Jesus but you’re not sure you’ve ever personally placed your faith in Him, I want you to know that you can come to Him.

Romans 10:9 says:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Salvation isn’t about wearing the right Christian mask.

It isn’t about pretending you’re perfect.

It isn’t about your physical abilities.

It isn’t about your background.

It isn’t about your education.

It isn’t about having the perfect testimony.

It’s about Jesus.

Come honestly.

Come with the questions.

Come with the mistakes.

Come with the broken pieces.

Come with the parts you’re ashamed of.

Come with the mask in your hand.

And give your life to Jesus.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus,

I’m tired of hiding.

You already know everything behind my mask.

You know my sins.

You know my mistakes.

You know my fears.

You know my disappointments.

You know my questions.

You know my struggles.

You know every part of my story.

Thank You for loving me.

Thank You for going to the cross for my sins.

Thank You for rising again.

Please forgive me.

Help me turn away from sin and follow You.

I put my faith in You, and I ask You to lead my life.

When I’m afraid, remind me that You are greater than my fear.

When I feel like I need to pretend, remind me that You already know the real me.

When people don’t understand me, remind me that You do.

When someone tries to tell me what I cannot do, remind me that my calling comes from You.

When I feel like I don’t belong, remind me that I belong to You.

Help me live authentically for You—not just on Sundays, but every day.

Use my story.

Use my gifts.

Use even the chapters I wish had been different.

Let my life point people toward You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

No Masks Needed

This October, you’re going to see plenty of masks.

Every time you see one, I hope you’ll remember this message.

You don’t need one with Jesus.

He sees you.

He knows you.

He knows your weaknesses.

He knows your abilities.

He knows your failures.

He knows your victories.

He knows your fears.

He knows your calling.

He knows your past.

And He knows the future He’s leading you toward.

The little girl who was once made to feel like a liability couldn’t see everything God was going to do with her story.

But Jesus could.

Today, I can look back and realize that God was writing a story I couldn’t understand yet.

And whatever chapter you’re living through right now, He can see beyond yours too.

First John 4:18 says:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”

So don’t spend your life hiding behind a mask.

Come to Jesus.

Let Him see the hurt.

Let Him hear the questions.

Give Him your fear.

Give Him your disappointment.

Give Him the rejection.

Give Him your dreams.

Give Him the real you.

Because He already sees you.

He already knows you.

And He loves you.

The scariest thing isn’t what’s hiding behind a Halloween mask. It’s spending your whole life hiding behind one and never truly knowing the Savior who already knows the real you.

Take off the mask.

Come to Jesus.

And let Him show you who you were created to be.

Stay Connected

Thank you for spending part of your day with me here at TyliaFlores.com.

Every time I write something like this, my prayer isn’t simply that you finish another blog post. I pray that something you read encourages you to think about your relationship with Jesus, reminds you that your story has purpose, and helps you understand that God can use you exactly where you are.

If you’re living with a disability, I especially want you to remember this:

You are not a liability to the Kingdom of God.

You have gifts.

You have purpose.

You have a voice.

And you have a place within the Body of Christ.

If you’ve experienced rejection, don’t allow somebody else’s inability to recognize your purpose to convince you that God hasn’t given you one.

Keep seeking Him.

Keep praying.

Keep growing.

And keep becoming the person He created you to be.

Read My Books on Amazon

Explore my Christian fiction and inspirational books featuring faith, love, disability representation, everyday life, and characters learning what it means to keep Jesus at the center of their stories.

Through my writing, I want readers—especially readers who don’t always see themselves represented—to encounter characters with dreams, relationships, struggles, faith, and purpose.

Subscribe to My YouTube Channel

Join me on YouTube for sermons, biblical encouragement, conversations about faith and disability, ministry messages, and reminders that God can use every part of your story for His glory.

Stay Connected With My Ministry

Follow my ministry journey as I continue sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and advocating for greater disability inclusion within Christian communities.

One message I hope to continue sharing is simple:

People with disabilities aren’t only people the Church can minister to. We can also be people God calls to minister.

We can teach.

We can write.

We can preach.

We can encourage.

We can pray.

We can lead.

We can serve.

And we can share Jesus.

Stay Connected

Thank you for spending part of your day with me here at TyliaFlores.com.

Every time I write something like this, my prayer isn’t simply that you finish another blog post. I pray that something you read encourages you to think about your relationship with Jesus, reminds you that your story has purpose, and helps you understand that God can use you exactly where you are.

If you’re living with a disability, I especially want you to remember this:

You are not a liability to the Kingdom of God.

You have gifts.

You have purpose.

You have a voice.

And you have a place within the Body of Christ.

If you’ve experienced rejection, don’t allow somebody else’s inability to recognize your purpose to convince you that God hasn’t given you one.

Keep seeking Him.

Keep praying.

Keep growing.

And keep becoming the person He created you to be.

Read My Books on Amazon

Explore my Christian fiction and inspirational books featuring faith, love, disability representation, everyday life, and characters learning what it means to keep Jesus at the center of their stories.

Through my writing, I want readers—especially readers who don’t always see themselves represented—to encounter characters with dreams, relationships, struggles, faith, and purpose.

Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B3Y83ZJ5?ccs_id=bda1cd89-d2ea-44c8-a5c3-9b0ba53bf0a4

Subscribe to My YouTube Channel

Join me on YouTube for sermons, biblical encouragement, conversations about faith and disability, ministry messages, and reminders that God can use every part of your story for His glory.

Pastor Tylia L. Flores on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PastorTyliaL.Flores

Follow Me on Facebook

Stay connected with me on Facebook for Christian encouragement, ministry updates, new blog posts, book announcements, messages about disability inclusion, and more from my journey as an author and pastor.

Pastor Tylia L. Flores on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590950813449

Keep Reading at TyliaFlores.com

Come back to TyliaFlores.com for Christian encouragement, disability advocacy, ministry updates, author news, book announcements, personal reflections, and monthly blog posts.

Website:
https://tyliaflores.com/

And wherever we connect, remember:

“People may see my wheelchair and decide what they think I can do, but Jesus has never measured my calling by my disability. I may have worn a mask and said I was okay when rejection hurt me, but God saw behind that mask. He saw my purpose before I could see it for myself.”

— Pastor Tylia L. Flores

Keep Jesus at the center.

Keep walking by faith.

Don’t let somebody else’s limitations for your life become your limitations for what God can do through you.

And when the world tells you to hide the parts of your story that make you different, remember:

No masks are needed with Jesus.

Until next time,

Pastor Tylia L. Flores

9 Lessons About Keeping Jesus at the Center

Choosing Christ Every Day in a World Full of Distractions

By Tylia L. Flores

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” — Matthew 6:33 (CSB)

September has a way of feeling like a fresh beginning.

The excitement of summer begins to fade as schools reopen, churches launch fall ministries, and families settle into new routines. Calendars quickly fill with responsibilities, appointments, deadlines, and commitments. Before long, it’s easy to find ourselves moving from one task to the next without slowing down to ask an important question:

What is at the center of my life?

For Christians, that question matters because whatever sits at the center of our hearts will shape our priorities, influence our decisions, and ultimately determine the direction of our lives.

The world encourages us to place success at the center. It tells us to chase popularity, wealth, comfort, influence, and recognition. While none of those things are wrong in themselves, they make poor foundations. They were never meant to carry the weight of our identity or our hope.

Jesus offers something far greater.

He doesn’t simply invite us to add Him to our already busy schedules. He calls us to build our entire lives around Him.

A Christ-centered life doesn’t mean life will always be easy. Scripture never promises that. There will still be seasons of waiting, moments of disappointment, unexpected trials, and questions without immediate answers. The difference is that when Christ is at the center, we never walk through those seasons alone. His presence remains constant, His promises remain true, and His love never fails.

As we begin a new season, here are nine biblical lessons that remind us why keeping Jesus at the center changes everything.

1. Build Your Life on the Only Foundation That Never Changes

Scripture: Matthew 7:24–25

Jesus compared our lives to houses. Every house experiences storms, but only the house built on the rock remains standing.

Life constantly changes. Jobs change. Relationships change. Health changes. Plans change. Even our emotions can change from one day to the next.

Jesus does not.

When our confidence is rooted in circumstances, peace comes and goes. When our confidence is rooted in Christ, we discover stability because He never changes.

Every lasting life begins with the right foundation.

2. Seek Jesus Before Everything Else

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Jesus never said to seek Him whenever life becomes difficult.

He said to seek Him first.

That one word changes everything.

Seeking Christ first means inviting Him into every decision before we make it. It means allowing His Word to shape our opinions, His wisdom to guide our choices, and His will to become more important than our own.

When Jesus becomes our first priority, every other priority begins to fall into its proper place.

3. Let God’s Word Shape Your Heart

Scripture: Psalm 119:105

In a world filled with opinions, trends, and endless advice, God’s Word remains the unchanging truth.

The Bible is more than a collection of inspiring verses. It reveals God’s character, teaches wisdom, offers correction, and points every generation back to Christ.

Reading Scripture consistently doesn’t just increase knowledge—it transforms hearts.

The more time we spend in God’s Word, the more our lives begin to reflect His.

4. Prayer Is Where Peace Begins

Scripture: Philippians 4:6–7

Prayer is often viewed as something to do when everything else has failed.

The Bible presents it very differently.

Prayer is our first response because it reminds us that God is already present before we ever speak a word.

It is where fear meets faith.

Where worry meets peace.

Where weakness meets God’s strength.

Prayer may not always change our circumstances immediately, but it always draws us closer to the One who is in control.

5. Grace Is Greater Than Our Weakness

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Everyone experiences moments of weakness.

The encouraging news of the Gospel is that God’s power has never depended on human perfection.

His grace meets us exactly where we are.

When we admit our need for Him, we discover that His strength is more than enough.

The Christian life has never been about pretending to be strong.

It’s about depending on the One who truly is.

6. Trust God’s Timing

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Waiting can be one of life’s greatest challenges.

Yet throughout Scripture, God repeatedly used waiting seasons to prepare His people.

While they waited, He was working.

He was strengthening faith, shaping character, opening new doors, and accomplishing purposes they could not yet see.

If you’re waiting today, remember this:

God’s silence never means God’s absence.

His timing is always intentional, even when we don’t yet understand it.

7. Joy Is Found in Jesus, Not Circumstances

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Happiness often depends on what is happening around us.

Joy depends on who is walking beside us.

Because Jesus never changes, the source of Christian joy never changes either.

That doesn’t mean believers never grieve or struggle.

It means hope remains even during difficult seasons because Christ remains faithful.

True joy isn’t the absence of hardship.

It’s the confidence that God is still at work in the middle of it.

8. Love Like Jesus

Scripture: John 13:34–35

One of the greatest ways believers reflect Christ is through love.

Not a love based on convenience.

Not a love offered only to those who agree with us.

But a love marked by compassion, humility, forgiveness, kindness, and grace.

The world notices when Christians genuinely love people the way Jesus did.

Every act of encouragement, every word of grace, and every moment of compassion becomes an opportunity to reflect the heart of Christ.

9. Keeping Jesus at the Center Changes Everything

Scripture: Colossians 3:17

Every lesson ultimately leads back to one truth:

Jesus belongs at the center.

Not simply during church services.

Not only when life becomes difficult.

Not only when we need guidance.

Every single day.

When Christ is at the center of our homes, our work, our relationships, our dreams, and our decisions, our perspective changes. Fear begins to give way to faith. Anxiety begins to give way to peace. Self-centered ambition gives way to eternal purpose.

Following Jesus isn’t about living a perfect life.

It’s about faithfully walking with the perfect Savior.

As this new season begins, don’t simply make room for Jesus in your schedule.

Build your schedule around Him.

Don’t simply invite Him into your plans.

Invite Him to lead them.

Don’t simply call on Him during life’s storms.

Walk with Him every day.

Because a life centered on Christ is never wasted.

Final Thoughts

As September unfolds, take a moment to pause before the busyness of the season takes over. Spend time in God’s Word. Make prayer a daily habit. Worship Him in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments. Trust Him with what you can control and what you cannot.

No matter what this season holds, one truth remains unchanged:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

When He is at the center of your life, you have a hope that cannot be shaken, a peace that cannot be explained, and a Savior who will never leave your side.

May this month be more than a new page on the calendar. May it be a renewed commitment to seek Christ first and follow Him wholeheartedly.

“The world will always give us something new to chase, but only Jesus gives us something eternal to hold onto. When Christ is at the center, our hearts find the home they’ve been searching for.”
— Tylia L. Flores

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Stay Connected

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it encouraged you to keep Jesus at the center of your life and reminded you that His love, grace, and faithfulness never change.

If you’d like more Christian encouragement, Bible-based blog posts, devotionals, ministry updates, and behind-the-scenes writing content, I’d love to stay connected with you!

Read My Books

Discover my Christian books, devotionals, and upcoming releases by visiting my Amazon Author Page.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tylia-L-Flores/author/B0B3Y83ZJ5?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=bfdf7de3-5d3d-46d5-919b-32a6b9d90476

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I pray you’ll continue to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ as we walk this journey of faith together. Thank you for being part of this community, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

Have You Caught Up with Jesus Today?

How a Birthday Gift from My Fiancé Became One of God’s Sweetest Reminders to Me This Summer

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)

There are some gifts that make you smile the moment you open them.

Then there are gifts that continue teaching you long after the wrapping paper is gone.

Last month, on July 7th, I celebrated my 31st birthday.

Birthdays have always been a time of reflection for me. I naturally find myself looking back over the previous year and thanking God for everything He has done. Some years are full of mountaintop moments. Others are filled with valleys that stretch our faith in ways we never expected. Most years, if we’re honest, are a mixture of both.

As I celebrated turning thirty-one, I found myself overwhelmed—not because life has been perfect, but because God has been faithful.

When I think about where I was a few years ago compared to where I am today, I can’t help but praise Him.

He has walked beside me through heartbreak.

He has strengthened me through health challenges.

He has opened doors for ministry that I never dreamed possible.

He has given me opportunities to write stories that point people toward Christ.

He has called me into pastoral ministry.

He has allowed me to build a ministry for people with disabilities.

He has surrounded me with incredible family and friends.

And He brought someone into my life that I prayed for during many lonely years—my fiancé, Cody.

Every birthday reminds me that another year of my life has been written by God’s hand.

As Psalm 139 reminds us, every one of our days was known by Him before we ever lived even one of them.

That thought never gets old.

A Gift That Fit Me Perfectly

One of my favorite birthday gifts this year came from Cody.

If you’ve ever received a gift from someone who truly knows you, then you understand how special that feels.

The best gifts aren’t always the biggest or the most expensive.

Sometimes they’re the ones that make you laugh because they’re so “you.”

When I opened Cody’s gift, I immediately laughed.

It was a bright red T-shirt that said:

“Catch Up with Jesus…”

And underneath it read:

“‘Cuz He Blesses Me From My Head To-Ma-Toes.”

I absolutely loved it.

If you know me, you know why.

I love Jesus.

I love encouraging people.

I love Christian apparel that starts conversations.

And yes…

I love a good cheesy pun.

I looked at Cody and smiled because I knew exactly why he picked it out for me.

He knows that if something makes people smile while also pointing them toward Jesus, I’m probably going to wear it every chance I get.

I folded the shirt, thanked him, and honestly didn’t think much more about it.

At least…not yet.

Because God wasn’t finished with that gift.

A Simple Shirt with a Powerful Message

A few days later, I decided to wear it while I was out.

Throughout the day, people noticed it.

Some laughed.

Some smiled.

One person simply pointed at it and gave me a thumbs-up.

Others quietly read it as I passed by.

I love moments like that because they remind me that even the smallest things can become opportunities to share Christ.

Not every witness has to begin with a sermon.

Sometimes it begins with kindness.

Sometimes it begins with a smile.

Sometimes…

It begins with a T-shirt.

But while everyone else was reading my shirt…

I kept reading it too.

Every time I happened to glance down…

There it was.

“Catch Up with Jesus.”

Those words followed me throughout the day.

Not in a condemning way.

Not in a guilt-filled way.

But in the gentle way the Holy Spirit often speaks to our hearts.

It was almost as if the Lord was asking me,

“Tylia… you’ve been catching up with your writing.”

“You’ve been catching up with ministry.”

“You’ve been catching up with projects.”

“You’ve been catching up with emails.”

“But have you caught up with Me today?”

That question stayed with me.

And honestly…

I needed it.

Even Good Things Can Become Distractions

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that not every distraction is sinful.

Sometimes our distractions are actually good things.

Ministry is a good thing.

Writing Christian books is a good thing.

Serving people is a good thing.

Helping others is a good thing.

Building a church is a good thing.

Creating Bible studies is a good thing.

Answering prayer requests is a good thing.

The danger comes when we become so busy doing things for Jesus that we stop spending time with Jesus.

That has convicted me more than once.

I can spend hours writing about God.

I can spend hours studying Scripture for a lesson.

I can spend hours planning ministry.

Yet none of those things should ever replace simply sitting quietly in God’s presence as His daughter.

God doesn’t love me because I’m productive.

He loves me because I belong to Him.

That’s something I constantly have to remind myself.

My Disability Has Taught Me This Lesson

Living with cerebral palsy has shaped the way I see life.

Growing up, there were many moments when I wished I could move faster.

I wanted to keep up with everyone else.

I wanted my body to cooperate.

I wanted simple tasks to feel simple.

For years, I viewed slowing down as something frustrating.

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that slowing down has often become one of God’s greatest gifts in my life.

Because when life slows down…

I notice Him more.

I hear Him more clearly.

I depend on Him more deeply.

Some of my most meaningful conversations with God haven’t happened during exciting ministry events.

They’ve happened during ordinary afternoons.

While sitting quietly with my Bible.

While listening to worship music.

While watching the rain fall outside.

While thanking Him for another day.

Stillness has become one of the places where my faith grows the most.

No wonder Scripture tells us,

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Stillness isn’t empty.

It’s often where God fills us the most.

The World Wants Our Attention

Have you noticed how hard the world fights for our attention?

Every app wants us to stay longer.

Every notification wants us to click.

Every news story tells us it’s urgent.

Every social media platform promises we’ll miss something if we don’t keep scrolling.

We are constantly told to stay connected.

But connected to what?

To endless opinions?

To fear?

To outrage?

To comparison?

To people who don’t even know us?

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly says,

“Come to Me.”

He isn’t shouting over the noise.

He’s inviting us into peace.

And somehow…

Peace always sounds quieter than chaos.

Delight Yourself in the Lord

The verse on my shirt comes from Psalm 37:4.

For years, people have quoted this verse as if it means God promises to give us everything we ask for.

But I think it’s much more beautiful than that.

When we delight ourselves in the Lord…

Our hearts begin to change.

The things that once seemed so important suddenly become less important.

Our priorities shift.

Our fears shrink.

Our confidence grows.

Our love for Christ deepens.

The more time I spend with Jesus, the less anxious I become about everything else.

That doesn’t mean life’s problems disappear.

It means I’m no longer facing them alone.

A Shirt I’ll Never Look at the Same Way Again

Now, every time I pull that bright red birthday shirt out of my closet, I smile.

Not just because Cody gave it to me.

Although that alone makes it special.

I smile because God used something so ordinary to teach me something extraordinary.

Every time I wear it, I’ll remember my thirty-first birthday.

I’ll remember Cody’s thoughtfulness.

I’ll remember how deeply loved I am—not only by the man I’m going to marry, but by the Savior who loved me first.

And I’ll remember the quiet lesson God whispered into my heart through four simple words.

“Catch Up with Jesus.”

Before You Catch Up with the World…

Tomorrow morning…

Before you check Facebook…

Before you watch the news…

Before you answer emails…

Before you scroll through Instagram…

Before you worry about everything waiting on your schedule…

Pause.

Open your Bible.

Spend a few minutes with Jesus.

Not because you have to.

Because you get to.

There is no better way to begin your day than by spending time with the One who created you, saved you, walks beside you, and promises never to leave you.

I still think Cody bought me a funny birthday shirt.

But now I know God turned it into something much more.

A reminder that I hope I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Before you catch up with the world…

Catch up with Jesus.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for always inviting us into Your presence. Forgive us for the times we become so busy catching up with the world that we neglect spending time with You. Help us to make You our first priority each day. Fill our hearts with Your peace, guide our steps with Your wisdom, and remind us that true joy is found in walking closely with You. May our lives reflect Your love in everything we do.

Thank You for the people You place in our lives who encourage our faith, even through simple gifts that point our hearts back to You. Thank You for Cody and for the thoughtful reminder he gave me through a simple birthday gift. Help us all to recognize Your voice in the ordinary moments of life and to treasure every opportunity to grow closer to You.

May we never become so busy serving You that we forget to simply sit at Your feet. Teach us to delight ourselves in You each day, trusting that Your presence is the greatest blessing we could ever receive.

In the precious name of Jesus,

Amen.

31 Ways Disabled Christians Can Advocate for Jesus Christ

By Pastor Tylia Flores

God Didn’t Make a Mistake When He Wrote My Story

This month, I celebrate my 31st birthday.

As I reflect on the journey God has taken me on, I find myself returning to one powerful truth: God made no mistakes when He wrote my story.

Every chapter of my life—the joyful moments, the difficult seasons, the challenges of living with cerebral palsy, the victories, the setbacks, the opportunities, and the calling He has placed on my heart—has been woven together with purpose.

For years, I questioned why my life looked different from the lives of those around me. I wondered why some things came easily to others while I had to fight harder for them. I wrestled with questions about why God allowed certain challenges in my life.

But over time, I have learned that my disability was never a mistake.

It was never outside of God’s plan.

Psalm 139:13-14 reminds us:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

And Psalm 139:16 declares:

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Before I was born, God knew every detail of my story.

He knew I would live with cerebral palsy.

He knew I would become a writer.

He knew I would one day be called into ministry.

He knew I would become an ordained pastor.

And He knew that my testimony would point others to Him.

As disabled Christians, we must remember that our circumstances do not limit God’s power.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Our disabilities do not disqualify us from God’s purpose. Instead, they can become powerful testimonies of His grace.

“I’m Just a Nobody”

One song that has deeply encouraged me throughout my faith journey is “Nobody” by Casting Crowns featuring Matthew West.

The lyrics say:

“I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody all about Somebody who saved my soul.”

Those words capture exactly what I want my life and ministry to reflect.

Our mission is not to make our own names known—it is to make the name of Jesus known.

The world often tells us that our worth is found in our accomplishments, our abilities, our influence, or our titles. But Scripture tells a different story.

First Corinthians 1:27 says:

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Throughout the Bible, God used ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Moses struggled with speaking.

David was overlooked.

Paul carried his own thorn in the flesh.

Yet God used each of them for His glory.

He can use us, too.

Jesus gave every believer this command:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” — Mark 16:15

That calling belongs to all of us.

Not just pastors.

Not just missionaries.

Not just ministry leaders.

Every Christian is called to tell others about Jesus.

A New Season of Purpose

As I step into my 31st year and continue serving as an ordained pastor, I believe God is leading me into a new season.

For many years, I used my voice primarily in disability advocacy. While that work remains close to my heart, I feel called to focus my writing, ministry, and platforms more intentionally on advocating for Christ and Christianity.

My prayer is simple: that everything I create points people toward Jesus.

Through Able by Grace Ministries, I want to continue building a Christ-centered community where people of all abilities know they are loved, valued, and called by God.

I want people to understand that disability is not a barrier to ministry.

There is room for everyone in God’s Kingdom.

I also plan to continue writing young adult romance novels rooted in faith, redemption, hope, and biblical values.

Stories matter.

Jesus often taught through stories because He understood their power to reach hearts.

My prayer is that every book I write, every podcast episode I record, every message I share, and every ministry opportunity God provides will help someone draw closer to Christ.

31 Ways to Advocate for Jesus Christ as a Disabled Christian

1. Share your testimony.

Your story can help someone discover God’s faithfulness.

2. Pray boldly for others.

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can serve.

3. Invite someone to church.

A simple invitation can change a life.

4. Start a Bible study.

Gather others to learn and grow together.

5. Encourage accessibility in your church.

Every person deserves the opportunity to worship and belong.

6. Serve according to your gifts.

God has uniquely equipped you for His purpose.

7. Share Scripture on social media.

Use your platforms to spread hope.

8. Pray with someone who is hurting.

Your prayers can bring comfort and encouragement.

9. Write about your faith journey.

Your words can point others toward Jesus.

10. Volunteer in your church community.

Serving reflects the heart of Christ.

11. Create devotional content.

Videos, podcasts, blogs, and articles can reach people around the world.

12. Encourage caregivers and families.

A kind word can make a lasting difference.

13. Speak up for inclusion.

Help create churches where everyone belongs.

14. Support disability ministries.

Partner with organizations that reflect God’s love.

15. Use your creativity for God’s glory.

Every gift can be used to honor Him.

16. Share worship music.

Songs can encourage hearts and strengthen faith.

17. Mentor younger believers.

Your experiences can help others grow spiritually.

18. Send messages of hope.

A simple text, call, or letter can remind someone they are loved.

19. Participate in church life.

Your presence matters.

20. Advocate for accessible worship spaces.

Accessibility reflects the heart of Jesus.

21. Start a prayer group.

Bring people together in faith.

22. Share your favorite Bible verses.

God’s Word has the power to transform lives.

23. Practice kindness every day.

Small acts of love make a big impact.

24. Listen with compassion.

Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply being present.

25. Serve through online ministry.

Digital spaces create opportunities to share the Gospel.

26. Pray for pastors and leaders.

Support those who guide others in faith.

27. Encourage someone who feels unseen.

Remind others of their value in Christ.

28. Teach others about God’s faithfulness.

Share what He has done in your life.

29. Celebrate the way God created you.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

30. Live with joy and hope.

Your faith can inspire others.

31. Never stop telling others about Jesus.

The Gospel is the greatest gift we can share.

Your Story Matters

Maybe you’ve wondered whether your disability limits what God can do through your life.

It doesn’t.

Maybe you’ve questioned whether your voice matters.

It does.

Maybe you’ve wondered if your story can make a difference.

It can.

The same God who called Moses, strengthened Paul, and used ordinary people throughout Scripture is still calling people today.

He is calling you.

Your disability is not an obstacle to God’s purpose.

Your testimony is a tool for His glory.

You were created intentionally.

You were called purposefully.

And your story can lead someone else to Jesus.

As I begin this next year of life, my prayer is simple:

“Lord, let every word I write, every ministry opportunity You provide, every platform You entrust to me, and every conversation I have point someone closer to You.”

At the end of the day, I am simply a nobody trying to tell everybody about Somebody who changed my life forever.

His name is Jesus.

Continue the Journey

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

My prayer is that this article reminds you that your disability does not disqualify you from God’s purpose. Your story matters, your voice matters, and your life can point others to Jesus Christ.

If you would like to continue this journey with me, I invite you to explore these resources:

• Visit my website: www.tyliaflores.com
• Read devotionals and ministry updates on the Able by Grace Ministries blog: https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/
• Listen to my podcast, Faith Over Fried Chicken, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7
• Discover my faith-filled books and young adult Christian novels on my Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tylia-L-Flores/author/B0B3Y83ZJ5

Together, let’s continue building a world where people of all abilities know they are seen, loved, valued, and called by God.

And let’s never stop telling others about Jesus.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” — Mark 16:15

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

There are certain moments in life that are difficult to put into words because they represent so much more than a single announcement. They represent years of prayer, seasons of waiting, moments of uncertainty, and countless reminders that God’s timing is always perfect—even when we don’t understand it. Today is one of those moments for me.

For a long time, I have quietly carried a dream in my heart. It wasn’t something I wanted to rush because I never wanted it to become my idea. I wanted it to become God’s. I have learned over the years that there is a tremendous difference between running ahead of God and faithfully walking beside Him. Whenever I have tried to force doors open, they have usually closed just as quickly. But every time I have surrendered my plans and trusted His timing, He has been faithful beyond anything I could have imagined.

That is exactly how the vision for Bethany Bible Church was born.

This isn’t a spontaneous decision. It isn’t simply another ministry project, another website, or another Facebook page. It is the result of years of God patiently preparing my heart, shaping my calling, teaching me through both joy and sorrow, and reminding me that His plans are always greater than my own. As I look back over the last thirty-one years of my life, I can finally see how every chapter was leading me to this one.

Looking Back at the Journey

If you’ve followed my story over the years, you’ve watched it unfold one chapter at a time. Some of you first met me when I was simply a young writer sharing my thoughts online. Others discovered my work through my books. Many came to know me through Stomping On CP, where disability advocacy became one of the greatest passions of my life. Others joined me later through Able by Grace Ministries, my podcast, my devotionals, or after God called me into pastoral ministry.

Each season looked different on the outside, but looking back now, I realize they all had one thing in common—they were preparing me to trust Jesus more deeply.

When I was younger, I believed God had one calling for my life. I thought writing was the destination. Then I thought disability advocacy was the destination. Later, I believed ministry itself was the destination.

But I’ve come to understand something beautiful.

God was never asking me to chase a destination.

He was asking me to follow Him.

Every opportunity He placed before me wasn’t the finish line. It was simply another step along the path He had already prepared. Every article I wrote, every interview I conducted, every conference I attended, every book I published, every ministry credential I earned, and every conversation I had with someone who needed encouragement became another lesson in learning how to trust His voice.

There were moments when I couldn’t understand why certain doors closed. There were dreams that didn’t unfold the way I had planned. There were relationships that ended, disappointments that brought tears, and seasons when I wondered if I had somehow misunderstood what God wanted from me. Yet today, when I look back, I wouldn’t erase a single one of those experiences. Even the painful chapters became part of God’s faithfulness because they shaped the person He was calling me to become.

From Brokenness to Purpose

Living with cerebral palsy has taught me many things, but perhaps the greatest lesson has been dependence.

From an early age, I understood that life wasn’t always going to be easy. There were surgeries, therapies, doctor’s appointments, obstacles, and moments where I questioned why my journey looked different from everyone else’s. Like many people, I asked God questions that didn’t always receive immediate answers.

There were seasons when I wondered why He had allowed me to face certain challenges. There were days when I wished my life looked more “normal.” There were moments when discouragement seemed louder than hope.

But over time, something incredible happened.

God didn’t always remove the obstacles.

Instead, He changed my perspective.

He taught me that our greatest testimonies are often born from our deepest struggles. He reminded me that His strength truly is made perfect in weakness. The things I once believed disqualified me from ministry eventually became the very things that allowed me to minister to others with compassion and understanding.

I no longer see cerebral palsy as something that prevented God from using me.

I see it as one of the many ways He prepared me to point people toward Him.

The Evolution of My Calling

One of the questions I’ve received over the last year is why my ministry has changed so much.

The answer is simple.

I haven’t abandoned my calling.

I’ve grown deeper into it.

Stomping On CP will always hold a special place in my heart. That ministry opened doors I never imagined possible. It introduced me to incredible people, gave me opportunities to advocate for disability awareness, and reminded countless individuals that their diagnosis does not define their value.

I will always be grateful for that chapter.

But God has a way of expanding our vision when we’re willing to trust Him.

Able by Grace Ministries wasn’t created because I stopped believing in disability advocacy.

It was created because I realized something even greater.

Disability advocacy changes perspectives.

The Gospel changes lives forever.

As wonderful as it is to help someone feel seen, valued, and included, nothing compares to introducing someone to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Physical healing is a blessing, but spiritual healing lasts for eternity.

That realization transformed not only my ministry but also my heart.

Why Bethany Bible Church?

As I spent more time studying Scripture, I found myself falling in love with the Bible in a way I never had before. I wasn’t simply reading verses for encouragement anymore. I wanted to understand the context, the history, the theology, and the heart behind every passage. I wanted to teach others what I was learning because I realized that so many Christians are hungry for solid biblical teaching.

The name Bethany became deeply meaningful to me.

Bethany was a place where Jesus was welcomed. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—a place filled with friendship, hospitality, worship, and miracles. It reminds us that God often does His greatest work in places that seem ordinary.

That’s my prayer for this ministry.

That Bethany Bible Church would become an online place where people encounter Jesus, grow in His Word, and discover that no one is beyond the reach of His grace.

Looking Toward 2027

The official launch of Bethany Bible Church is still ahead of us, and that’s intentional. I believe God is calling me to prepare carefully rather than rush ahead. There are Bible studies to write, sermons to develop, ministries to organize, technology to build, and, most importantly, prayers to pray.

I don’t want to build something impressive.

I want to build something faithful.

If this church never becomes large but remains faithful to Scripture, it will be a success.

If one person comes to know Jesus because of this ministry, it will be worth every hour of preparation.

If one believer grows deeper in their relationship with Christ because they opened God’s Word alongside us, then every late night, every revision, every prayer, and every act of obedience will have been worthwhile.

Thank You

Before I close, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has walked beside me throughout this journey. Thank you for reading my books, listening to my podcasts, sharing my articles, praying for me, encouraging me, and believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Your kindness has been one of God’s greatest gifts in my life.

Most importantly, thank You, Lord.

Thank You for choosing someone who often felt overlooked.

Thank You for reminding me that Your plans are never limited by my circumstances.

Thank You for proving over and over again that Your grace truly is sufficient.

And thank You for allowing me the privilege of serving Your Kingdom.

As we prepare for this next chapter, I ask for one thing above everything else.

Please pray.

Pray that Bethany Bible Church always remains faithful to God’s Word.

Pray that every sermon points people to Jesus.

Pray that every decision reflects biblical truth.

Pray that this ministry never becomes about a person, but always about our Savior.

Because in the end, my greatest desire isn’t to build a successful ministry.

It’s to faithfully serve the One who gave everything for me.

By His grace, we’ll begin this next chapter together in 2027.

Bethany Bible Church

Coming in 2027

Teaching the Bible. Sharing God’s Love. Helping People Grow in Their Faith.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tylia L. Flores
Founder, Bethany Bible Church
An Online Church of Able by Grace Ministries

If you had told me ten years ago that I would one day be writing this article, I probably would not have believed you.

For most of my adult life, people have known me as a disability advocate.

They’ve known me as the founder of Stomping On CP.

They’ve known me as an author, radio host, podcaster, speaker, and someone passionate about educating the world about cerebral palsy and disability inclusion.

For years, that was my mission.

I spent countless hours writing articles, interviewing guests, producing content, speaking publicly, and sharing my experiences as a woman living with cerebral palsy.

I advocated for accessibility.

I advocated for acceptance.

I advocated for inclusion.

I advocated for awareness.

And I still believe those things matter.

But somewhere along the way, God began doing something incredible in my heart.

He showed me that while disability advocacy is important, there is something even more important.

The Gospel.

You see, people need more than awareness.

They need hope.

People need more than accessibility.

They need salvation.

People need more than inclusion.

They need Jesus.

And little by little, God began transforming my mission.

Not replacing it.

Expanding it.

Today, I still advocate for people with disabilities.

But now I advocate for something eternal.

Today, my greatest passion is helping people with disabilities discover a relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Because while a wheelchair may impact how someone moves through life, only Jesus can transform where they spend eternity.

Looking Back at God’s Faithfulness

When I reflect on my life, I can clearly see God’s fingerprints all over it.

I see Him in the moments I didn’t understand.

I see Him in the disappointments.

I see Him in the struggles.

I see Him in the unanswered prayers.

I see Him in the tears.

I see Him in the victories.

And I see Him in every opportunity He gave me to serve others.

Like many people, I’ve experienced seasons of loneliness, heartbreak, disappointment, depression, uncertainty, and questions about my purpose.

I’ve wondered why certain doors closed.

I’ve wondered why certain relationships ended.

I’ve wondered why some dreams never happened.

But now I understand something I didn’t understand then.

God wasn’t ignoring me.

He was preparing me.

Every article I wrote.

Every radio show I hosted.

Every interview I conducted.

Every book I published.

Every challenge I faced.

Every obstacle I overcame.

God was preparing me for ministry.

The platform I thought I was building for disability advocacy was actually becoming a platform for sharing Christ.

And that realization changed everything.

Why Disability Ministry Matters

One of the greatest burdens on my heart today is helping churches better understand disability ministry.

For years, I have met people who felt forgotten.

People who felt invisible.

People who questioned whether they belonged in church.

Families who felt isolated because of disability.

Young people who wondered if God had a purpose for their lives.

The truth is that disability ministry isn’t simply about ramps, elevators, or accessibility accommodations.

Those things matter.

But disability ministry is ultimately about making sure every person has access to the Gospel.

Jesus constantly sought out those society overlooked.

The blind.

The lame.

The sick.

The hurting.

The rejected.

The forgotten.

He didn’t avoid them.

He welcomed them.

And I believe the Church should do the same.

People with disabilities aren’t projects to be fixed.

They’re people to be loved.

They’re disciples to be equipped.

They’re leaders to be empowered.

They’re children of God.

And they deserve to hear that message.

A New Season of Ministry

This year has been one of the most exciting and humbling seasons of my life.

God continues opening doors I never imagined possible.

In recent weeks, I have been blessed to receive several new ministry specializations and chaplaincy credentials:

• Associate Minister of the Word (May 24, 2026)

• Motorcycle Club Chaplain (May 20, 2026)

• Pet Assisted Chaplain (May 15, 2026)

• Country Club Chaplain (May 14, 2026)

• Homeless Community Chaplain (May 12, 2026)

• Community Chaplain (May 9, 2026)

• Digital Community Chaplain (May 8, 2026)

Each credential represents another opportunity to meet people where they are and share the love of Christ.

I have also had the privilege of helping contribute to the Disability Adult Chaplain course through Christian Leaders Institute.

Learn more here:

https://christianleaders.org/course/view.php?id=2004

This project means so much to me because it helps equip future ministry leaders to better serve individuals with disabilities and their families.

For years I advocated for disabled people to be included.

Now I have the opportunity to help train leaders who will minister to them.

That’s something I never take for granted.

Able by Grace Ministries

Perhaps no project better reflects this new season than Able by Grace Ministries.

Able by Grace Ministries exists because I believe every person has value, purpose, and worth in God’s Kingdom.

No matter their disability.

No matter their past.

No matter their circumstances.

God’s grace is sufficient.

His strength is made perfect in weakness.

And His plans are always greater than our own.

You can visit our newest June article here:

https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/2026/06/31-bible-verses-to-remember-when-youre.html

And I’m excited to announce that Able by Grace Ministries now has an official Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589814770359

Sharing the Gospel Through Media

One of the things I’ve learned is that ministry doesn’t only happen from behind a pulpit.

Sometimes ministry happens through books.

Sometimes it happens through articles.

Sometimes it happens through podcasts.

Sometimes it happens through a simple conversation.

This month I shared a new sermon on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKQMxpppnUs

I also continue hosting Faith Over Fried Chicken, where I discuss faith, life, culture, ministry, and practical Christian living:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jG4UylnabOYvNyJFsri7e?si=Irfa8V23TO-cSYGHIAkqIw

Alongside my fiancé, Cody A. McWhorter, I also co-host Palsy Power with Cody and Tylia:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/palsy-power-with-cody-and-tylia/id1774985607

Through Palsy Power, we discuss disability, advocacy, relationships, faith, and life as Christians living with cerebral palsy.

I also continue writing for Christian Ledger.

One of my recent articles, “Should Christians Leave Hollywood?” can be found here:

https://substack.com/home/post/p-196172590

Each platform reaches different people.

But every platform has the same mission.

To point people toward Jesus Christ.

Writing Stories That Heal

God continues to use writing as one of the biggest ministries in my life.

Stories have a unique way of opening hearts.

They help readers feel seen.

They help people process pain.

They help people encounter grace.

Some of my recent releases include:

The Eye Where He Found Me on Nectarine Trail
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GY7CBFHV

The Last Summer Before High School
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS2752Z5

The Summer She Said Yes
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN8Z74RX

The Letter He Wrote to the Man Who Should’ve Loved Her
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1KR2YDN

Book Signings & Butterflies
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX32H49G

The Freedom Picnic
https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Picnic-Tylia-L-Flores-ebook/dp/B0FXXY922W

Hail Mary Hearts
https://www.amazon.com/Hail-Mary-Hearts-Tylia-Flores-ebook/dp/B0FPPFBF3T

Whether I am writing fiction, devotionals, articles, or memoirs, my prayer is always the same:

That readers leave feeling encouraged and closer to Christ.

Exciting Projects Coming Soon

God isn’t finished yet.

There are several exciting projects on the horizon.

The Yellow Highlighter

Launching October 6, 2026.

The Yellow Highlighter will be a faith-filled devotional lifestyle publication focused on Bible studies, devotionals, testimonies, disability advocacy, Christian encouragement, ministry resources, and stories that heal.

My hope is that readers will grab a cup of coffee, open their Bible, and spend intentional time reflecting on God’s goodness.

The Cost of Building Stomping On CP

This upcoming memoir is perhaps the most personal book I have ever written.

For years, people saw the public platform.

What they didn’t always see were the struggles behind the scenes.

The heartbreak.

The mistakes.

The lessons.

The healing.

The growth.

Most importantly, they didn’t always see how God was working through it all.

This book tells that story.

Not the story of a platform.

But the story of grace.

The Red Wheelchair Patriot Report

I’m also excited to announce an upcoming media and commentary platform:

The Red Wheelchair Patriot Report with Tylia L. Flores

A Disabled Voice for Conservative America.

Follow the project here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589163905350

This project will focus on disability perspectives within public policy, culture, faith, and conservative thought.

My Prayer Moving Forward

As I look toward the future, I feel renewed.

I feel refreshed.

I feel refined.

Most importantly, I feel called.

Called to write.

Called to preach.

Called to encourage.

Called to serve.

Called to minister.

Called to share the Gospel.

The mission has not changed.

It has simply grown.

Years ago, I advocated for people with disabilities to be seen.

Today, I advocate for people with disabilities to know Jesus.

And if every book I write, every sermon I preach, every podcast I record, every article I publish, and every ministry opportunity I receive helps even one person move closer to Christ, then every step of this journey will have been worth it.

Because at the end of the day, my greatest accomplishment isn’t being an author.

It isn’t being an advocate.

It isn’t being a minister.

It isn’t being a chaplain.

It isn’t building a platform.

My greatest accomplishment is belonging to Jesus Christ.

And that’s the story I want to spend the rest of my life telling.

Stories That Heal,

Tylia L. Flores

Who It’s For & Why It Matters

A Personal Beginning

For this month’s blog post, I didn’t want to just write something inspirational or surface-level. I wanted to write something that felt real—something that carries the weight of lived moments, quiet prayers, and the kind of faith that doesn’t always look polished on the outside.

Because the truth is, what you see now—the ministry, the books, the platforms—didn’t start as something clear or neatly put together.

It started in the middle of questions.

It started in places where I didn’t always understand what God was doing.

It started in moments where I kept showing up… even when I didn’t feel seen.

I want to talk about why I started Able by Grace Ministries, but to really understand that, you have to understand what came before it.

Because this ministry wasn’t built overnight.

It was built through process.

Through growth.

Through surrender.

And through learning, step by step, that nothing I walked through was ever wasted.

If you want to follow what God is continuing to do through this ministry, you can visit:
https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/

Before the Ministry… There Was a Story

Before there was a ministry, there was a version of me trying to understand my life in real time.

There were moments where I looked around and felt like I didn’t quite fit the mold of what things were “supposed” to look like.

Moments where I loved God deeply…
but still had questions I didn’t always know how to say out loud.

Moments where I smiled, showed up, and kept going…
while quietly carrying things no one else could see.

And I think that’s something many people can relate to.

Because sometimes faith doesn’t look like standing on a stage.

Sometimes it looks like sitting in your room, praying quietly, wondering if God hears you.

Sometimes it looks like holding onto hope…
even when you don’t have clarity.

There were seasons in my life where I felt:

Seen… but not fully understood.
Strong… but emotionally tired.
Faithful… but still searching.

And in those seasons, I found myself asking questions that didn’t have immediate answers:

Why does my life feel different?
Why do I feel like I don’t fully belong in certain spaces?
Can God really use this part of my story?

What I didn’t realize then was that those questions weren’t pulling me away from God.

They were drawing me closer to Him.

Because God doesn’t reject questions.

He meets us in them.

The Shift That Changed Everything

Before Able by Grace Ministries, I spent years in advocacy.

And that season was meaningful in ways I’ll always be grateful for.

It gave me a voice when I needed one.

It helped me understand how to speak up—not just for myself, but for others.

It built a foundation that I didn’t even realize would prepare me for what was coming next.

But there came a point where I started to feel something change.

Not in a dramatic way.

Not in a moment where everything suddenly made sense.

But in a quiet, steady way that I couldn’t ignore.

There was a pull.

A sense that what I had been doing mattered… but it wasn’t everything.

And the more I sat with that feeling, the clearer it became.

God was calling me deeper.

Not just to advocate…
but to minister.

Not just to speak about experiences…
but to speak into people’s lives in a way that brings healing.

It wasn’t about doing more.

It was about going deeper.

And that realization didn’t come with a full plan.

It came with a step.

Then another step.

Then another.

Until eventually, what once felt like a quiet nudge became something I couldn’t ignore.

Understanding Grace in a New Way

The name Able by Grace didn’t come from a brainstorming session.

It came from something I had to learn personally.

Because for a long time, I believed being “able” meant:

Being strong.
Being independent.
Having everything together.

But life has a way of revealing the truth.

And the truth is, none of us are as self-sufficient as we sometimes try to be.

There were moments where I felt tired.

Moments where I didn’t have answers.

Moments where I realized I couldn’t rely on my own strength.

And that’s where God met me.

Not when I had everything together.

But when I didn’t.

That’s where I began to understand what grace really means.

Grace isn’t just something we talk about.

It’s something we live through.

It’s what carries you when you feel like you can’t move forward.

It’s what holds you together when things feel uncertain.

It’s what reminds you that you are never walking alone.

So when I say Able by Grace, I’m not speaking from perfection.

I’m speaking from experience.

I’m speaking from knowing what it feels like to be carried.

A Place for Those Who Feel Overlooked

One of the deepest reasons I created Able by Grace Ministries is because I know what it feels like to love God and still feel like you don’t fully belong somewhere.

To feel like you’re present… but not always understood.

To feel like you’re trying… but still overlooked.

And I began to realize that there are so many people who feel that way.

People living with disabilities.

People who feel different.

People who don’t fit the image of what others expect.

People who are still healing… while trying to hold onto faith.

And I knew that if I had felt that way at times, there had to be others who felt it too.

So this ministry became more than something I created.

It became a space.

A place where someone can show up as they are.

A place where you don’t have to pretend.

A place where your story isn’t judged—it’s understood.

When My Writing Became Something More

As this ministry was forming, my writing was evolving too.

At first, I thought I was just telling stories.

But over time, I began to understand something deeper.

Stories have the ability to reach people in ways conversations sometimes can’t.

They create connection.

They create understanding.

They create space for someone to see themselves in a way they may not have before.

And that’s when everything shifted.

I realized I wasn’t just writing stories.

I was writing Stories That Heal.

May Releases

These stories reflect that heart:

Every Word, Every Line
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F89R146Y

Letters of Light: A Testimony, Not a Tragedy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRCS2M93

The Night He Changed the Movie
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GH8KZX6B

The Figurine He Shot to Save Her
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCKLMWHM

The Cinco de Mayo We Didn’t Plan
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR1P8K5Z

The Boy Behind the Smile
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR6DHWZB

My Birthday, My Goodbye, and Him
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F38451TH

The Youth Group Van That Drove Me Home to Her
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8NSD55L

The Last Day of School Surprise
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX32HTFY

Author’s Note

If you’ve read this far, I want to pause for a moment and speak directly to you.

Not as someone with a platform.

Not as someone who has everything figured out.

But as someone who understands what it feels like to keep going… even when things don’t fully make sense.

I don’t know what you’re carrying right now.

I don’t know what questions you’ve been asking in quiet moments.

But I do know this:

God is not finished with your story.

Not even close.

The parts that feel confusing.

The parts that feel unfinished.

The parts that feel heavy.

Those are not the end.

They are chapters.

And sometimes, the chapters that feel the hardest to understand…
become the ones that reveal the most.

So wherever you are right now, I want you to hold onto this:

You are not overlooked.
You are not forgotten.
You are not too broken to be used.

You are still able.

By grace.

—
Stories That Heal 

There are certain seasons that do more than mark time—they mark transformation.

April has always been that kind of season for me.

It’s not just the shift into spring. It’s not just the warmer air or the sense of new beginnings. It’s something deeper than that. It’s the way this time of year pulls my heart back to one central truth:

God is still in the business of resurrection.

Not just the resurrection we read about in Scripture—but the kind we live through.

The kind that doesn’t always look like a miracle at first. The kind that unfolds slowly, quietly, over time… until one day you look back and realize:

God moved something you once believed would never change.

When You’re Standing in Front of a Stone

This month, as I prepared a message for Able by Grace Ministries titled “He Still Rolls Stones Away,” I realized something deeply personal:

This wasn’t just a sermon.

It was my story.

Because I know what it feels like to stand in front of a stone.

Not one you can physically touch—but one you can feel in your spirit. Something heavy. Something that feels permanent. Something that makes you quietly ask,
“God… how is this ever going to move?”

And for me, part of that journey has been living with cerebral palsy.

It has always been a part of my life. It has shaped how I move, how people sometimes see me, and even how I have seen myself in certain seasons.

There were moments where it felt like a limitation. Moments where I questioned whether people would truly understand me. Moments where I wondered if doors would close before I even had the chance to walk toward them.

And if I’m being honest, there were seasons where it felt like a stone.

Something heavy.
Something I couldn’t change.
Something I had to learn to live with before I could understand how God would use it.

What I Didn’t See Then

Looking back now, I realize something I didn’t fully understand at the time.

Some of the most important seasons of my life didn’t look important at all.

They looked quiet.
They looked ordinary.
They looked like writing when no one was watching.
They looked like building faith in private before it ever became something public.

They looked like showing up—even when I didn’t feel strong.

And now I can say this with clarity:

What felt like stillness was actually movement.
What felt like waiting was actually preparation.

God was already working in places I couldn’t yet see.

The Stone Was Never the End

In Matthew 28, the stone looked final.

It looked sealed.
It looked like nothing could change.

But before anyone even reached the tomb—

God had already moved it.

And that truth changed the way I see my own life.

Because there were things I thought would never shift. Things I didn’t understand. Things I didn’t know how to fix or explain.

And yet… God moved.

Not always loudly.
Not always quickly.
But always faithfully.

What feels impossible to us has never been impossible for Him.

Even my journey with cerebral palsy—what I once saw as something that might limit me—became part of my testimony.

The very thing I thought might hold me back became part of the way God would use me.

Writing Through What God Has Done

As an author, I don’t write from a distance.

I write from within the journey.

Every story I release carries something I’ve lived, something I’ve wrestled through, or something I’ve seen God redeem.

This season has been one of the most meaningful in my writing life because I’ve released stories that reflect those exact truths—faith, forgiveness, healing, second chances, and love that reflects Christ.

Some of my recent releases include:

• The Bunny That Knew Our Names
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GDRR6W16
• The Night She Ran Away
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYHV971B
• The Forgiveness at the Counter
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY77YPPY
• When Grace Stepped Out of the Tomb
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DN1KSFPX
• Abram’s Way
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9WHBQ5S
• The Sweet Tea He Held While I Cried
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQR3RHFD
• The Earth Day Letter
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRSKKNP2
• Faith in the Fast Lane (Devotional)
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRS2DH9K
• April, Strawberries, and You
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GS3JR8TB
• The Medical Marijuana Card He Had in His Bible

Each one carries the same heartbeat:

No part of our story is wasted.
And no moment is beyond God’s ability to redeem.

A Moment I Will Never Forget

Recently, I received news that truly touched my heart in a way I will never forget.

It is with great joy and humility that I acknowledge the University of Calicut’s efforts in fostering open discussions about disability through my literature in their classrooms.

To know that something I wrote is being used in that way… to know that my words are part of conversations that matter… is something I do not take lightly.

When I wrote The Story of a Disabled Little Girl, I wrote it from a deeply personal place. I wrote it from the perspective of my own childhood with cerebral palsy—my experiences, my emotions, the things I felt but did not always know how to express at the time.

And now, to see that story reaching classrooms, opening conversations, and helping others understand disability in a more meaningful way…

It is truly an honor.

And I am so very excited for what God continues to do with the stories He has placed on my heart.

A Season of Growth, Opportunities, and New Doors

This season has also been filled with opportunities to share my journey beyond my books and ministry.

I had the opportunity to be featured in an interview with Bold Journey, where I shared more about my story, my writing, and my faith:

https://boldjourney.com/meet-tylia-l-flores/

I also had an incredible time on Public Facing — The Podcast — Where Culture and Community Meet, hosted by Joe Holmin. I had an absolute blast being part of that conversation, and it was such a meaningful experience to talk about purpose, calling, and community:

https://publicfacingpod.castos.com/episodes/serving-many-in-many-ways-tylia-l-flores

Moments like these remind me that God can take your story—every part of it—and place it in spaces you never imagined.

A Season That Confirmed My Calling

This past season has also been one of the most defining moments in my spiritual journey.

I have been ordained in multiple areas of chaplaincy through the Christian Leaders Institute Alliance, and I am now officially ordained as a Youth Pastor.

That moment meant more than a title.

It was confirmation.

Confirmation that God has called me not just to write stories—

but to serve people.

To lead.
To encourage.
To walk alongside others in real moments of life.

My calling is not just to tell stories—it’s to help people see God in theirs.

Where You Can Stay Connected

If you’ve been following my journey, you know that everything I do flows from faith.

You can stay connected through:

Able by Grace Ministries
https://soulcenters.org/directory/able-by-grace-ministries/

Ministry Blog
https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com

The Christian Ledger
https://substack.com/@thechristianledger
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587349477458

Faith over Fried Chicken

Some things are meant to be written.

Others are meant to be spoken.

That’s why I created my podcast:

Faith over Fried Chicken

This is where I go deeper—talking about faith, life, healing, and the everyday moments where God shows up.

Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7?si=02515793f6bf4d5c

If this blog spoke to you, I truly believe the podcast will meet you in a deeper way.

Final Thoughts

If you are standing in front of something right now that feels heavy…

Something that feels sealed…

Something that feels like it’s not moving…

I want you to hear this clearly:

The stone was never too heavy for God.
And it is not too heavy now.

He is still moving.
Even when you can’t see it.
Even when you don’t understand it.

He is already at work.

Stories That Heal,

 This Is What Grace Looks Like in My Body

By Tylia L. Flores

March is green.

But for me, March is not just a color.

It is memory.
It is muscle.
It is faith.
It is survival turned into calling.

I was born prematurely and diagnosed with cerebral palsy before I ever understood what that meant. I grew up in therapy rooms , orthopedic appointments , classrooms that doubted me , and hallways that were not built for my body.

For years, I thought awareness meant explaining myself.

Now I know awareness means something deeper.

It means dignity.
It means being seen without being reduced.
It means love without pity.
It means representation without apology.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is not a marketing moment for me.

It is personal.
It is spiritual.
It is embodied.

What Cerebral Palsy Awareness Means to Me

Awareness is not about inspiration.

It is about inclusion.

It is about asking,
“Do you want to play?”
And meaning it.

It is about holding the feeding tube in a stadium and not flinching.
It is about showing up to therapy graduations.
It is about writing letters.
It is about crossing state lines.
It is about falling in love without treating disability like a flaw.

Through Able By Grace Ministry , I shared this truth:

God does not make mistakes with bodies.
He reveals His strength through them.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

My cerebral palsy is not weakness.

It is the place where I have seen sustaining grace.

Grace is waking up and trying again.
Grace is writing when my hands are tired.
Grace is loving boldly in a body that moves differently.

Cerebral palsy shaped my endurance.

Christ shaped my identity.

And this March, I released stories that reflect that truth.

March Releases Honoring Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

These are not just books.

They are representation.
They are dignity on the page.
They are love stories that center disabled lives.

The Kickball Game That Gave Us Joy

Inclusion. Being chosen. One simple question that changes everything.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC32VTWY

The Play She Wrote for Palm Sunday

A Christian romance featuring a drummer with cerebral palsy cast as Jesus — and a girl discovering her calling.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G69DF8KZ

It’s Not About the Bunny: Milagro’s Easter Miracle

A children’s Easter story about Resurrection, joy, and a wheelchair-using heroine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKJD4DD8

The Doritos She Fed Him

A youth group lock-in. A bag of chips. A holy act of dignity.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5ZY9X69

The Boy Who Wore Green for Me

Awareness that looks like staying. Quiet devotion. Visible love.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8R7Y7J3

The Green Soda That Tasted Like Home

Being remembered. Being heard. Being chosen during CP Awareness Month.
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Soda-That-Tasted-Like-ebook/dp/B0GBY92CNB

The Buzzer Beater

Love, illness, vulnerability, and resilience through the rhythm of basketball.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS9CSVX8

Heaven’s Court: The Last Game of My Heart

Letters. Faith. Surrender. Love that outlives time.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVTK5GR2

The Game He Held the Feeding Tube

A rivalry game transformed into dignity and devotion.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G61HV5WV

Storyteller Made of Fire: How God Turned My Test Into Books

My memoir. My testimony. My return to Christ.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL3TRGPW

The Spring Break We Slept in the Church Van

Long-distance love, disability, faith, and showing up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GLTMV9K7

The Light Beyond the Bars

Redemption. Cerebral palsy. Faith behind prison walls.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FCCHG75S

Saved by a Screenname

A 90s digital love story between two teens living with cerebral palsy.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saved-by-a-screenname-tylia-l-flores/1148080614

The MapQuest Directions He Printed for My Therapy

Love that doesn’t text. It shows up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNJ7P7RN

Ask Cody

A CP Awareness Month novel about faith, doubt, and rediscovering hope.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNNHYKQH

The Baptism He Traveled For

A road trip across state lines for one sacred baptism moment.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNXCMWMZ

The Toy He Made for Me in March

A month of courage that ends in being seen.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GP8XYPP9

The MySpace Posts He Wrote in March

Online awareness that turns into real-life devotion.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GP9BJXKL

Love Always, Your Boyfriend

Grief. Faith. Letters written beyond loss.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPF3SQY5

The Letter Sent to Channel 12

Scars, first love, and the courage to be fully seen.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPRSM7MC

The Youth Group Livestream

Two teens with cerebral palsy discovering connection through worship.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPY7P7VN

Beyond Books — Expanding the Mission

Faith Over Fried Chicken (Podcast)

Episode 3: Faith Over Doubt
“I believe; help my unbelief.” — Mark 9:24
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7

The Christian Ledger

Christian journalism rooted in Scripture.
https://substack.com/@thechristianledger

Faith IRL

Christian life beyond Sunday — for teens.
https://substack.com/@faithirl

Able By Grace Ministry

March sermons and reflections on disability and divine purpose.
https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/

The Truth I Stand On

Cerebral palsy is not the flaw in my story.

It is part of the design.

It shaped how I love.
How I write.
How I understand grace.

This month is not about proving disabled people are inspirational.

It is about declaring:

We are image-bearers.
We deserve love stories.
We deserve romance.
We deserve faith.
We deserve visibility.
We deserve dignity.

Awareness without dignity is noise.

But awareness rooted in grace?

That becomes ministry.

With faith and gratitude,
Tylia L. Flores
Founder, Able By Grace Ministry
Christian Storyteller
Stories That Heal

A February Reflection on Faith, Love, and the Journey God Writes

This month began with something simple—but sacred.

Cody’s birthday visit.

As we celebrated another year of his life, I found myself reflecting not just on him, but on what truly makes a love story worth telling… and what makes a journey worth sharing in the first place.

Because it isn’t attraction.
That’s only part of it.

It isn’t having everything in common.
Shared interests matter, but they aren’t the foundation.

What makes a love story holy—what makes it last—is the moment two people decide, as Christians, to put God front and center and trust Him with the story. When love isn’t built on convenience, compatibility, or interest alone—but on a shared devotion to Christ.

That kind of love doesn’t rush.
It doesn’t perform.
It remains steady.

Valentine’s Day Was Never About the Candy

When we look at Valentine’s Day through a biblical lens, we realize something important:

It was never about candy.
It was never about cards.
It was never about proving love through gifts.

Love, as Scripture teaches it, begins in the heart of Christ.

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

The love Jesus carried in His heart and spirit is what transforms us—and it is that love that teaches us how to love others well. Valentine’s Day, at its best, should remind us not of what we expect from people, but of what Christ has already given us.

Why I Love Cody

When I think about Cody, I don’t think first about his looks (though that’s a bonus).

I think about the way he lives.

I love Cody because of the way he looks at life with cerebral palsy—not as something that defines or limits him, but as part of a journey God has used to shape his faith, strength, and compassion.

There is a daredevil spirit in him. An adventurous heart. A refusal to let anything stop him. But more than that, there is a deep, genuine love for Christ.

He treats people the way Jesus treated His church—with kindness, patience, humility, and care.

And I am incredibly grateful that God gave me the gift of loving someone who loves Christ just as deeply as I do. Loving Cody has reminded me that when God is at the center, love becomes something safe, steady, and sacred.

If you’re reading this, Cody:
I love you more than you know. Thank you for your faith, your heart, and your spirit.

What to Look for in a Partner When You’re Disabled & Christian

If you’re navigating love as a Christian with a disability, I want you to hear this clearly:

Scripture never asks you to settle.

Love rooted in Christ looks like this:

• Someone who loves God first

• Someone who treats your disability with dignity—not pity

• Someone who practices patience without resentment

• Someone who protects your heart and your worth

• Someone who walks beside you, not ahead of you

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14

You are not a burden.
You are not “too much.”
You are worthy of a love that reflects Christ.

February Writing & Ministry Updates

Stories God Has Allowed Me to Share

This month has been full of writing that reflects exactly what I believe about love, faith, healing, and dignity. Below are all of the books currently available, each written prayerfully and intentionally.

Faith-Centered & Christian Romance

The Surprise Ride Home
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHZG9SBQ
A middle-school Christian love story about online friendship, prayer, and the quiet way God answers when a seat is saved at just the right time.

I Am Able by Grace
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5LRSKTR
A powerful story of disability, recovery, faith, and redemption—about two broken people learning that grace still calls them home.

The Cheese Curds He Saved Until February 14
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCQM8KT8
A slow-burn, long-distance Christian romance centered on patience, prayer, and trusting God’s timing with love.

The Retreat Badge With His Last Name
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHPHL5MH
An early-2000s love story about online faith, shared Scripture, and discovering that the person you prayed for is real.

The Groundhog Day We Stopped Running
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8VRQGS2
A faith-based teen romance about cycles, second chances, and choosing to stop running when God invites you to stay.

The Valentine’s Day Drill
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL4T3M3M
A late-90s Christian YA story about courage, disability inclusion, and choosing faith over fear in the middle of crisis.

Halftime Healing
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8BGTXKL
A Super Bowl youth-group second-chance romance about vulnerability, repentance, and letting God heal what fear broke.

The Mascot Who Stayed
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKBB2QZG
A tender story about friendship, honesty, and a boy who stays behind—literally and emotionally—until love is revealed.

Disability-Centered Love Stories

Hallelujah in Quiet Places
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ6HVHPD
A story about being seen beyond words, finding love in silence, and discovering God’s presence in quiet faith.

The Girl He Saved Dunkaroos For
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G43ZMGZS
A youth-group love story built on kindness, patience, prayer, and the smallest acts that change everything.

The Communion He Held for Her
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G36B4P7J
A tear-jerking Christian YA story about church hurt, disability, belonging, and a love that fights for dignity at God’s table.

Grace in the Park
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNPQXGS9
A college-age Christian romance about fear, community, and discovering God’s grace in unexpected places.

The I Love You That Never Finished Loading
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKJ4C4YT
A slow, sacred love story about patience, online connection, and trusting God when words don’t come easily.

Faith, Identity, & Healing

Quiet David
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G61L9VKS
A faith-filled YA romance about identity, pressure, online anonymity, and love that grows in quiet spaces.

The Map He Kept: Marked by Grace
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY3YHMVC
A second-chance story about faith renewed, forgiveness, and trusting God’s direction again.

The Plush Cucumber He Gave Me During the Storm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJ5L2LN8
A hurricane-week love story about anxiety, comfort, and the person who stays when the world goes dark.

The 7th Heaven Episode That Made Us Fall in Love
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5LV4NL4
A nostalgic faith story about forgiveness, letting go, and trusting God with an ending you didn’t expect.

Hallway Crossroads
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF8126LJ
A story about accountability, repentance, and learning what it truly means to love your neighbor.

The Valentine He Sent to the Wrong School

Emily Ellison has been writing her life in journals since she was six years old — every memory, every prayer, every heartbreak.

But nothing in her carefully documented life prepared her for the day a Valentine’s letter meant for another school finds its way into her hands.

The letter was never supposed to reach her.
The boy who wrote it — Ian Holliday — was supposed to meet someone else at the end-of-year pen pal trip.

Instead, one misplaced envelope changes everything.

As letters turn into late-night conversations and distance turns into something deeper, Emily begins to wonder if this mistake wasn’t a mistake at all… but God’s perfect timing.

From rainy first meetings to Saturday morning cartoons and handwritten love letters, Emily and Ian discover that sometimes the wrong address leads to the right person.

A heartfelt Christian romance about faith, family, and the kind of love that refuses to get lost in the mail.

Because what’s meant for your heart will always find its way home.

Get Your Copy

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMS4YLKP

Google Play Books:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7bjAEQAAQBAJ

Adult Fiction & Poetry

Forbidden Words
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5Z2JPKB
A mature novel about boundaries, desire, self-worth, and refusing to settle for emotional neglect.

More Than Millions
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5Z3CR9P
A high-stakes romance about prejudice, power, and choosing love that honors God over status.

Seasons of the Heart
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F47DXJP8
A poetry collection spanning a decade of love, faith, grief, healing, and resilience.

February Podcasts

Faith Over Fried Chicken – February Episode
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7
A faith-centered conversation about Scripture, everyday life, and walking with God.

Palsy Power: Cody & Tylia
https://open.spotify.com/show/6f4tfqw8eK3632W7SvpPgH
An honest discussion on cerebral palsy, resilience, love, and faith lived out daily.

Able by Grace Ministries

Able by Grace Ministries continues to be a space for devotionals, reflection, and encouragement—especially for those navigating faith and disability together.

https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/

Closing Reflection

A great love story isn’t the one that looks perfect online.

It’s the one where two people keep choosing God.
Keep choosing gentleness.
Keep choosing faith.
Keep choosing love that reflects Christ.

And if you’re still waiting, still healing, still wondering if love will find you where you are—

God does not write pointless stories.
And you are not an exception to His goodness.

With love and grace,
Tylia L. Flores

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